The project for the University of London comprised the refurbishment of student accommodation at Handel Mansions.
What Did The Job Involve?
The project for the University of London comprised the complete renovation of 24 number individual self contained 2 to 4 bedroom flats including communal areas and external works. Works included: New firefighting facilities and an extensive new ventilation strategy to communal areas; Extensive renovation and reglazing of all timber sash windows; External brickwork repointing and replacement of individual damaged bricks; Upgrade of existing power and gas services and damp proofing works to isolated areas.
What Were The Challenges?
Located just off busy Kings Cross station main road – deliveries were challenging as was storage. During construction, as part of the revised fire strategy, new ventilation shafts were introduced. These required some extensive structural alterations in order to accommodate the required two large shafts with associated elements. One way ingress and egress required extensive forward planning of all deliveries by our onsite management team to ensure that main access routes were not blocked.
The project also required a complex scaffolding design to allow fire engine access to the back of the property in case of an emergency in addition to establishing and maintaining access to undertake the works. This proved to be a key challenge for our temporary works designers – however in collaboration with the Local Authority we met the standards required for scaffold on a public highway.
Beardwell’s Added Value
A certificate from the Considerate Constructors Scheme for performance beyond compliance for our site team was a great achievement. We had close liaison with a nearby nursery and site staff spent two days at the nursery repairing shelving and kitchen fittings. Foodbank storage on site with all donations given to the local church was a touching initiative prior to Christmas by our project team. Student placement from a school in Essex (Grays) gave young people on site experience. The students assisted our QS with tasks including measuring windows for new required blinds.
